The Vampire has come a long way from the original 1922 silent film cinematic portrayal of "Nosferatu" (an adaptation of the Bram Stoker novel, Dracula), as a single-mindedly evil blood-sucker to today's cool, edgy, good-looking night stalker with a conscience. Once bad, he's now 'bad!' Once a symbol of death - well, the vampire is still that. Now death, and the Vampire, from Buffy the Vampire Slayer's attraction to the series vampire character of Angel, to the Wesley Snipes Blade Trilogy, to the novel and film, Twilight, are the very heights of popular culture cool.

Fascination with the vampire myth runs deep, and let's not forget that that's what it is; an Eastern European myth and a legend. For many centuries in Europe, the folklore myths were a way of explaining away the plagues and diseases that a family member brought into the house. Early vampire myth explained the curse of contagion that seemed, literally, to 'suck out a person's life-blood'. 'The Vampire' was indeed a symbol of death.

Today's vampire, however, has had a make-over, so that a vampire showing up in a dream - or taking on a vampire tattoo - may reflect more positive associations. Still, it could suggest something in your life that is 'draining' you, or it could reveal a desire for immortality, or a 'thirst' for knowledge. Some of the most graphic vampire tattoos depict female vampires, which have decidedly sexual overtones. And Vampires are the stock in trade look for those in the Goth (short for Gothic) lifestyle. Pale skin, bordering on the bloodless, scarlet lips and an affinity for all things black - from hair to fashion - are the signature look of the Goth.

Below you will find a gallery of inspirational images that will help you in your quest of creating the perfect vampire tattoo.